Mary Valley Artslink

Art on Yabba pop-up gallery and exhibition opening
2024-08-31 15:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Join us to celebrate the opening of the Art on Yabba pop-up gallery with its new exhibition It’s Only Natural by Jan Lawnikanis.

The popular fine art gallery has new temporary premises next door to the Imbil Friendly Grocer and will be open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-2pm, from 29 August.

Jan’s exhibition runs from 29 August-29 September and features more than 50 artworks in watercolour plus other media, exploring the artist’s wonderment and reverence of the natural world. The subjects include flowers, birds, landscapes and seascapes.

While most are watercolours, there are some created using colour pencil and/or mixed media. A variety of traditional and experimental techniques are on show.
Book here for tickets to the opening on 31 August > https://bit.ly/3Wtt1X1

Jan will also host a watercolour workshop in September where you can learn how to paint beautiful birds. Bookings > https://bit.ly/4d5FgQR

Would you like to exhibit at the gallery? Submit an EOI > https://www.maryvalleyartslink.com.au/art-on-yabba-proposal

Birds in Watercolour workshop by Jan Lawnikanis
2024-09-21 09:00 - 16:00 | Imbil RSL Hall, Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Come join us for a fun workshop where you’ll learn how to paint beautiful birds using watercolours with the talented artist Jan Lawnikanis!

The talented artist will guide you through the process step by step. No prior experience is necessary, so don’t be shy if you’re a beginner!

Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon. This is a great opportunity to unleash your artistic side and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. See you there! Bookings > https://bit.ly/4d5FgQR

You’ll learn essential techniques for rendering feathers, beaks, and other intricate details. Explore the nuances of watercolour painting, from mixing colours to mastering brush strokes, while bringing these feathered friends to life on paper. Basic bird anatomy will also be covered, including some practice drawing.

With expert instruction, demonstrations and personalized feedback, you’ll leave with a beautiful bird painting and newfound confidence in your watercolour skills.

Some basic experience with watercolour is preferred, but newcomers to painting are also welcome. Jan will provide the option to use templates for tracing. Material list will be supplied after booking.

Exhibition: Eclectic Treasures
2024-10-03 10:00 - 2024-11-10 14:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
The next show at Art on Yabba pop-up gallery is Eclectic Treasures, featuring works from a collection of local artists including Pat Cale, Pam Hopkins, Lizzie Last, Lyn Nothdurft, Nonie Metzler and Jennie Hawkes Wright. It opens on Saturday 5 October at 3PM, at the gallery’s new address of 102 Yabba Road, Imbil.
Eclectic Treasures will showcase the artworks from 3 October to 10 November. Gallery hours at Thursdays-Sundays, 10AM-2PM.

Exhibition: Coloured In
2024-11-14 10:00 - 2024-12-08 14:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
The new exhibition at Art on Yabba pop-up gallery is Coloured In, featuring works from popular artists Fiona Groom and Dale Leach.
It opens on Saturday 16 November at 3pm, at the gallery’s new address of 102 Yabba Road, Imbil. Coloured In will showcase the artworks from 14 November to 8 December.
The exhibition title is appropriate for these fun-loving artists. Dale has always been fascinated by drawing and the use of colour. Her father was a travelling house painter and her grandmother was a dressmaker.
“We always had tints and tones for colour mixing in the garage, and an acute awareness of what colour went with what other colour,” Dale said.
“Colour mattered in our house. I would draw for hours on butcher’s paper on the kitchen table, and dad would paint, pirate ships and cartoon characters on our walls.”
After 70 years of painting and drawing, she now believes that she has sufficient skill to draw and paint as she sees fit. Her artistic heroes are Vincent van Gogh, David Hockney, Kathryn Braford and Australian landscape painter, William Robinson.
Collaborator Fiona Groom is renowned for her quirky animal portraits, inspired by the natural world and using realism to convey her message.
“I’m driven to make work that has a little humour, which in turn generates a reaction thus making the artwork more memorable,” Fiona said.
“My paintings are a snapshot if you will, a frozen moment. It’s my intention to draw the viewer in and not only delight them but generate awareness of how awesome nature can be.”

Trivia night - Imbil RSL Hall
2024-11-23 18:30 - 21:30 | Imbil RSL Hall, Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Test your knowledge against fellow residents at the trivia night hosted by Mary Valley Artslink.
Light snacks provided and bar available.
This is a fundraiser for the local art group which is working to establish a permanent art gallery in Imbil in the Mary Valley.
Art on Yabba is presently housed in a pop-up gallery at 102 Yabba Road, Imbil. The group has obtained a licence agreement with Gympie Regional Council to investigate the possibility of building a permanent gallery in Imbil. It now needs the funds to make the dream a reality.
Cost $15. Tickets and bookings at the Imbil Post Office. Inquiries info@maryvalleyartslink.com.au
Follow the gallery on socials.

Mary Valley Art Festival
2025-07-24 10:00 - 2025-07-27 15:00 | Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, Queensland, Australia
UPDATE: Extended deadline for entries – now closing Monday 14 July.

Celebrate art and artists in the Mary Valley region at our annual festival at Imbil, Mary Valley, South-East Queensland!

Day pass $5 per day | Free for members, under 14 free Opening and awards night | Fri 25 July | $25 | Book now $10,000 in prizes up for grabs!

The RJR Property Best in Show winner will receive $2000 and the Community Bank Gympie & District has given $1500 for the winner of the Open category.

Opening and awards night - Mary Valley Art Festival
2025-07-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, Queensland, Australia
Be the first to know who won the Bendigo Bank Open Award or the RJR Property Best in Show Award at the 2025 Mary Valley Art Festival!

We’re giving away more than $10,000 in prizes at the Awards night, which kicks off at 6pm at the Imbil Public Hall. Tickets are $25. Book via Eventbrite.

Join us to celebrate local art and meet the artists and friends. Licensed bar and finger food.

Win limited edition print by Lew Brennan
2025-08-01 08:00 - 2025-08-31 17:00
Mary Valley ArtsLink is raising funds to help build a new Art on Yabba Fine Art Gallery and Cultural Hub in Imbil.
Help make this important community arts space a reality by taking part in our raffle.
Only 150 tickets ($50 each) will be sold for the prize of this fine art print valued at $1200. Title: The Aware.
The raffle closes on 31 August.
Buy your ticket now!

Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival
2025-09-01 - 2025-09-30 | Mary Valley, Mary Valley, Queensland, Australia
It’s time to get cracking and plan your visit to the 2025 Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival!
The popular event is taking on an Australiana theme this year. Who knows what you might see in a paddock around here.
Scarecrows come out of the woodwork on 1 September and will be on display until 30 September. A Google map will be uploaded to this website after judging, showing locations of all scarecrows so you can take a day trip to go scarecrow spotting in the Mary Valley.

Art on Yabba fine art gallery opening
2026-02-28 16:30 - 18:30 | Art on Yabba, 123 Yabba Rd, Imbil, Queensland, 4570, Australia
You are invited to the opening of Art on Yabba – an initiative of Mary Valley Artslink – at the new Mary Valley Arts & Cultural Hub.
This purpose-built, independently managed facility will be a sustainable, long-term home for arts and cultural activity in the region. It will host solo and mixed exhibitions.
This event is two-fold – you get to step inside our new art space in the Mary Valley … and we launch our first exhibition for 2026.
Unveiled is a members’ exhibition and features works from some of your favourite artists in the Gympie region.
Arrive at 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Free but bookings required for catering.
Contact Mary Valley Artslink at info@maryvalleyartslink.com.au

Palate and Poise
2026-05-14 10:00 - 2026-05-31 14:00 | Art on Yabba, 123 Yabba Rd, Imbil, Queensland, 4570, Australia
Art on Yabba, Mary Valley’s fine art gallery, presents a GourMay exhibition Palate & Poise.
This exhibition that brings together artists who use food as image, material, and metaphor. Spanning multiple media, the works explore food in all its forms, from the plants that nourish us to fresh interpretations of the classic still life.
Artists will include Ian Mastin, Jan Lawnikanis and more.
This event runs from 1-31 May on gallery open days – Thursday-Sunday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and is part of the annual GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival.

Evoke: Exhibition by Modern Studio painters and potters
2026-06-04 10:00 - 2026-06-28 14:00
Art on Yabba welcomes eight artists from the Modern Studios to display their new exhibition Evoke from 4-28 June at the Imbil fine art gallery.
The contributing artists push the boundaries of their personal styles in this collection of 2D and 3D works.
They attend Wednesday morning sessions at the Forshaw and McGannon Studios at Doonan. Their shared belief is that every artist’s path is unique; their role is to provide the technical expertise and the industrious space needed for those aspirations to take physical form.
Since 2015, the modern gallery and workshop space in Doonan has served as a cornerstone for technical mastery and creative exploration. Founded by ex-TAFE educators Dennis Forshaw and Cheryl McGannon, the studio is built on a foundation of professional art education and a lifelong passion for specialized creative disciplines.
The official exhibition opening will be held on Saturday 6 June at 2:00 PM. NB: Note time change. Bookings required.
Art on Yabba is open from Thursday – Sunday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Image credit: Om Mandala by Lisa Stanton.
Artists

Cheryl McGannon | An accomplished Sunshine Coast-based mixed media artist and educator with a career spanning over 33 years. Holding a Master of Creative Arts from James Cook University, Cheryl’s practice is an ongoing exploration of “The landscape of the subconscious,” translated through the luminous and tactile layers of cold wax and oil. Her work is characterized by a sophisticated interplay between her roots in traditional printmaking and her contemporary mastery of cold wax medium.
Michelle Mann | A mixed media artist and illustrator living in the Sunshine Coast. Her vibrant, joyful and whimsical artworks are inspired by nature, spirituality and a colourful imagination. Michelle has held two solo exhibitions and her work is held by collectors both nationally and internationally. Most days you will find Michelle in her home studio in Woombye playing with colour.
Lisa Stanton | An abstract artist also based on the Sunshine Coast. Her creative journey has taken her from the traditional folk art of her Ukrainian heritage to the photographic realism of landscapes and seascapes, still life, close-focus flowers, and botanical art. This collection of works for Art on Yabba is influenced by her passion for using crystals in meditation.
Dennis Forshaw | Originally from the UK, Master Potter Dennis Forshaw blends technical rigor with artistic discovery, a path forged by his background in engineering and TAFE teaching. This foundation of precision underpins his command over the volatile alchemy of the kiln. He creates exquisite Raku and saggar fired vessels. The metamorphic qualities in his work are about growth, change, and enlightenment, reinforcing the power and beauty of life.
Lyn McBain | In 2017, Lyn transitioned to the Sunshine Coast, a move that marked a significant evolution in her creative practice. After years dedicated to ceramics, she pivoted from the tactile nature of clay to the versatile world of cold wax and oils. This shift allowed her to explore depth and history through a different lens, trading the kiln for the rich, translucent layers of wax. More recently, Lyn has expanded her repertoire by delving into mixed media and experimental techniques through her involvement with the Evoke Modern collective.
Alyssa McBain | Alyssa has explored many different mediums and styles, transitioning from realism and surrealism to oils, acrylics, and eventually mixed media with a more abstract expression. She exhibited in Melbourne on several occasions prior to moving to the Sunshine Coast. Alyssa finds solace in the beauty of the ocean and the ever-changing shapes created by sand and water.
Margaret Builder | Margaret is an abstract painter, having completed several bodies of paintings. She was a private art student with Stanislau Rapotec for six years and continued her tutelage with Australian abstract artist, Peter Griffen while living in New South Wales. Recently Margaret has continued her tutelage and guidance with Australian artist, Cheryl McGannon where she was introduced to cold wax and oils which she continues to paint with today.
Shirley Top | Based in the Noosa hinterland, Shirley’s ceramic practice explores the quiet beauty of handmade objects through simplicity, texture, and organic form. Working predominantly with soft celadon and muted teal glazes, she is a multidisciplinary artist working across ceramics, painting, and watercolour. Her practice is inspired by the surrounding coastal landscape, quiet everyday moments, and a love of understated beauty and simplicity.

Mary Valley Art Festival 2026
2026-07-23 10:00 - 2026-07-26 15:00 | Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, Queensland, Australia
UPDATE: We have extended the deadline for entry forms until midnight on 13 July!

The Mary Valley Art Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary on 23-26 July at Imbil, Mary Valley!

One of the South-East Queensland’s most established regional arts events, the festival continues to attract strong participation, with more than $10,500 in prize money and hundreds of artworks displayed across a wide range of categories, including a dedicated youth section.

Highlights include the Best in Show Award, supported by the Gympie and District Community Bank, and a full program of events with an awards night and Sunday artisan markets.

Entries open on 18 May and close on 6 July.

Day pass $5 per day | Under 14 free Opening and awards night | Fri 25 July | $25 | Book now! $10,500 in prizes up for grabs!

Image credit: Pat Cale.

Gympie Region Studio Trails

Mary Valley Art Festival and the fine art gallery Art on Yabba proudly feature in the 2026 Gympie Region Studio Trails in the Gympie and the South trail.
The art festival is open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on 25 and 26 July at the Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, while the gallery will also open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on those days.
Join the inspiring journey and meet the artists of the Gympie region, exploring their creative spaces, from studios to galleries.
This unique event invites you to uncover a world of artistic possibilities, showcasing a diverse range of mediums and practices. Engage with talented local artists, learn about their techniques, and appreciate their creativity firsthand.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply curious, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the vibrant creative community in Gympie.
